Education Visa

[Scully]

There is a similar thread running regarding a small school however I don't want to hijack that thread so here is my situation.

I am currently in the UK but will be returning to a rural area of Thailand where there are no Language schools. My question is would it be in any way possible to obtain an Education Visa if I was recieving private tuition from a teacher at the local state school providing I do the correct hours etc.

I will be returning at the end of March with my girlfriend who is currently in the UK with myself.

I want to stay at least one year and will be studying Thai regardless of the Visa type so if it's not possible to obtain a ED Visa what are my options?.

Thanks in advance.

[lopburi3]

Multi entry non immigrant O visa from Hull seems to be your only reasonable option. You are not likely to qualify for extension of stay or ED visa.

[jazzbo]

Kuhn S. -- Agree with Kuhn L. You do not say where is your rural area of Thailand where there are no Language schools. There are however Universities with International non-degree study programs -- language or otherwise -- that would have no trouble qualifying for issuance of non-Imm ED Visa.

[Scully]

Thankyou for the helpful replies.

I will be staying 50 km from Udon Thani which I suspect has Universities with International study programs.

After a topic search I have found there have been several people asking about places to learn Thai in Udon Thani with no replies.

A multi entry non immigrant O sounds like the best way to enter Thailand and I will study Thai privately. That is unless anybody can suggest any good places in Udon?

If I enter with a multi non O at least I will have the peace of mind that I can stay 12 months without having the hassle of spending the first 3 months searching for a good school to enrol.

Its a little bit difficult to research schools from the UK so maybe I will change my non O visa to ED visa if I do find a good school when I arrive or is there no point?

Thanks Lopburi3 and jazzbo.

[thaiphoon]

You can study on Non-O visa so do not have to change, but you would have to continue with border runs every 90 days. If wanting to travel/explore between studying that may suit you initially.

If you obtain Non-ED visa from embassy/consulate within the region, will be single entry then extend your permission to stay at Thai immigration with supporting paperwork from the school (no need for border runs). If you were to travel outside Thailand you would need to obtain a re-entry permit to keep your permission to stay alive (which you would not need if using Non-O visa option).

As said, best to obtain multiple entry Non-O visa from Hull at the start to give you most flexibility.

http://www.thaiconsul-uk.com/downloads-and-visas.aspx

[Tod Daniels]

A Non-Immigrant Multi-entry Type O visa from Hull is about the easiest thing in the world to get. They are the most "user friendly" thai consulate in the world bar none.

With that type of visa you are entitled to stay in thailand for up to 90 days, when you must exit the country, re-enter and you get another 90 day stay, do this just before the visa is set to expire and you get another 90 days, so in essence you get 15 months out of a one year visa. Being close to Udon you can jump across the border at Nong Khai and back quite easily.

I personally don't know of any private language schools in Udon which will give you the required paperwork for an ED visa. That is NOT saying there are none there as Udon has a HUGE foreign population, but only that I don't know of any. The school must apply to the Ministry of Education for the appropriate paperwork as well as the school providing paperwork of their own showing hours you are enrolled, etc, but it is the Ministry of Educations letter that garners you the visa.

Get the non-Immigrant Multi-entry Type O from Hull, and don't sweat it. There is NO benefit having an ED (education) visa versus an O (other).

FWIW: Google" Udon Thani Forums" and see if you get any hits. Maybe someone on one of the other forums can give you up to date info. I know there are sites dedicated to just that neck of the woods.

Good Luck

[Scully]

Again thankyou.

A Non-Immigrant Multi-Entry Type O visa it is.

I went to Thailand last year with a 3 month tourist visa from Hull but stayed there for 16 months on tourist visas from Laos. I am back in the UK and am glad I now have the option of returning with the correct visa because the red warning stamps are quite worrying for those wishing to stay.

Hull is only 40 mins drive away so again thanks to thaiphoon and tod.

[jazzbo]

KKU in Khon Kaen does have such an International Non-Degree program -- they have an undergraduate-only campus in Nong Khai near the Train Station. The International program does not seem to be an option at the NK campus; possibly can be arranged for at NK as a cash paying student.

http://www.nkc.kku.ac.th/english/ -- KKU Nong Kahi website